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#145: It's Called Fashion, Look it Up

I never remember the Met Gala’s existence until social media is suddenly flooded with otherworldly outfits. The corsets, beads, and historical dresses of the Met Gala might feel a little insignificant given the state of the world right now, but it’s nonetheless a good opportunity for some fashion escapism.

So, in honor of the world’s biggest costume party, let’s think about clothes, identities, façades, and self-expression. Where does your mind go?

This week's prompts

Write a story where a particular piece of clothing appears three times.

Nonfiction – 59 stories

Write about a character who wakes up in someone else’s clothes — or utterly weird apparel they don’t recognize as their own.

Science Fiction – 38 stories

Set your story at a global fashion event — or a carnival ball.

High School – 20 stories

Think of an item of clothing from your childhood, and write a story inspired by that.

Nonfiction – 28 stories

Write about a character who decides to give themselves, or someone else, a fashion makeover.

Fluff – 20 stories

Stories

“Angel In Disguise” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #145

One of the most daunting tasks I faced when my mother died in 2020 was emptying the family home of more than 50 years of memories. While tossing aside, books, tools, and broken exercise equipment like a deadly scythe, I came across the remnants of my Tin Man outfit from the early seventies. I was immediately transported back to when I was eighteen, had a full head of hair, weighed eighty pounds less., and dated ...

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“Fashionable Gains” by Rebecca Bradford

Submitted to Contest #145

Content Warning: This story contains themes related to eating disorders/disordered eating. Maricela stepped onto the scale and took a deep inhale while she waited for the final number to register. 130 lbs, 4 oz “Oh my God. I did it!” For years Maricela struggled with disordered eating. Growing up, she was always referred to as “chubby” and while her family saw this as an endearing quality, middle and high schoolers weren’t so kind. The first time Maricela remembers being bullied for her weight she was 13-years-old. It sounds cliche, ...

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“Petal” by Jason Moore

Submitted to Contest #145

“Hey Arthur, you're gonna come to the arcade tonight?” Arthur’s friends called out to him as he stumbled out his classroom door, struggling to put on his backpack. He turned away from them and started rapidly walking down the hall, as fast as he could without getting in trouble with a passing teacher. “Sorry guys! I have plans! Maybe Saturday!” He called over his shoulder just before getting out of earshot. He faced forward just in time to narrowly dodge someone coming the other way. “Sorry!” He called out to them, not even stopping to see...

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“Dumb and Restless” by Maureen Murphy

Submitted to Contest #145

Dumb and Toothless When your front tooth falls out in the middle of a fashion presentation, you might think that nothing worse could happen, and depending on your point of view, you may be right. Or wrong. I worked at a very stressful and physically constraining day job, looking through a microscope, sitting still for hours at a time. To have relief and variety, I joined a company which sold ladies’ clothes at home presentations. It was fun. I went out at night, met new, interesting people, took my clothes off, and came home with money...

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“The Magical Dress” by Ginger Scharpe

Submitted to Contest #145

The girl squealed with delight at the way the dress fit. It had a tight cream-colored bodice that hugged her curves perfectly. The floor length skirt flared out at the hips with sweeps of iridescent colors layered throughout the sheer material. It had an amazing shine when her hips moved in just the right way. The actual heart shaped sweetheart neckline dipped just enough, and the soft material came up to cover her youthful bosom perfectly. She held her breath as she turned to look at her back in the mirror. She squealed again when she didn’...

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“The vail of the entity” by Vos Gillespie

Submitted to Contest #145

I think someone or something is following me. For the past two days, I've seen something or someone dressed in black, with a matching vail. No one else seems to notice her, even when I point her out. It seems that I am the only one strangely lucky enough to feel and see her. Thankfully, she stays at a distance, never giving a close enough view. That lack of view doesn’t change how terrifying she is. Or the troubled feeling she leaves me with. Today, I was leaving my apartment when I had this feeling of being watched. I didn't look behind me,...

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“Peasant Style” by Maureen MacLennan

Submitted to Contest #145

Peasant Style Packing her clothes was the last thing she had to do before leaving. Vail had been her home for years but with their recent divorce and Martin working at the same lodge, it was time to leave. The large maroon bag was zipped and hauled onto the floor, ready to be rolled out into the tiny kitchen. The house they’d shared was only a rental, the pile of ski’s, poles, and pieces of clothing she couldn’t fit in her luggage was just stuff. Her job as a ski instructor was cliché for a Colorado girl, but she’d loved it. Growing up...

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“THE ONE MISSING STAR” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #145

THE ONE MISSING STAR “ Do you see how he got dressed, our very dear friend? Oh, I say, at least, he could spare us the sight of those disgusting hairs on his beautiful muscular legs…..All he had to do was wear an ankle-length skirt, if he didn’t want to shave” Marilda , she laughed heartily, even though she pretended to be disgusted by how he showed up at the masked ball, he, Teddy Boy, their friend Alice’s boyfriend. Kate remained silent , her eyes glued to the skirt Teddy Boy was wearing. S...

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“Triangular Nightmare” by Laura Huffman

Submitted to Contest #145

With July’s rising temperatures and high humidity Wilma sat in the kitchen nook with a bottle of Coke. Wearing nylons and her ankle-length nursing gown she was over-heated and dehydrated. Throughout the day the heat upstairs was unbearable. Every window was open in the mansion, but with no breeze, the oscillating fans in the residents’ rooms were only blowing hot air. She removed the stethoscope from around her neck and took off her white nursing ca...

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“Green Pajamas” by Anna Hubbard

Submitted to Contest #145

Have you ever looked back at your life, wondering which of your decisions had a direct impact as to where you are now? Sure, every choice you make has the ability to influence the future, and some are more noticeable than others. Would you live somewhere else if you opted for a different college major? What would life look like if you chose to get back with your ex-partner when they pursued you again three years ago? Answers to those questions are probably deeper than the mystery of what would have happened if you ate toast for breakfast ins...

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“The World's New Wardrobe” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #145

Ralph threw the last carton on the shelf–glad to finish the final incoming load in the stifling home furnishings warehouse. He couldn’t wait to shower, change into “street clothes” that would let him feel human again and head for his favorite watering hole down Main Street. He believed that, after a few “cool ones” even the flea-bitten, fly-by-night boring rural outpost of a town where he had wasted much of his life might start to look good. &nbsp...

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“An Abandoned Harley In Reno” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #145

He rolled under the covers of the uncomfortable king-sized bed, feeling the pajama tops bunched up around his stomach. He lay on his side, not ready to wake up, and considered the reasons to face another day in another city. What casino hotel is this? His wife booked the hotel. He couldn’t recall the name and decided he didn’t care. Is she here? He turned his head just enough to open one eye to see the silhouette of his still-sleeping wife contrasted against the gray shadows on the far wall. How long are we here? He couldn’t remember what sh...

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“Robot Wear” by Minerva Noiropp

Submitted to Contest #145

Every day is a global fashion event when you are a Targeted Individual. The T.I. is not the fashion connoisseur, it is the stalkers, who revel in making decisions on what to wear to cause suffering to the T.I. Perhaps the stalkers mistakenly believe that the decisions they make in the clothing they wear will somehow trigger the T.I. into doing, saying, or even thinking something that is not in the T.I.’s best mental, emotional, spiritual, physical or financial best interests. Imagine, this world, then, that the T.I. lives in. People don’t be...

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“Ready. Set. Pose.” by Jordan Tope

Submitted to Contest #145

"Ready. Set. Pose."That was not the song I expected to hear as I waited for the show to start. I had heard it before, but I couldn't place the name or artist. I sat next to The Madame, my boss, as we waited for the fashion show to start. This one had somehow been announced as a global event. Apparently, the designer thought very highly of themselves and their line."What was the theme again?" I was not the Madame's regular assistance. She usually called in sick with a hangover. Eye roll."It's called: Banking Institution!" Her boss sounded lik...

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“The Metamorphose Gala ” by Jai New

Submitted to Contest #145

The Metamorphose Gala. By the stars, the colours! Such wondrous explosions of unbridled peacockery never before have i witnessed. Beautiful women wrapped in velvet, cashmere and Arachnian lace. Tall slender men cut out handsomely in shades of green and russet linen. The guests are dotted about in the great ballroom and each group appears to me like a grove of new sprung and exotic flowers. Floating press pods hum about everywhere, flashing photos, recording gossip and lavishing much attention on the swooping necklines of the younger ...

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$250

Prize money

165

Contest entries

96

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 13, 2022 EST

Won by Avery Mossop 🏆

Title: The Overalls

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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